RE: Spotted special: German tyre kicker's heaven
Wednesday 21st March 2012
The Germans sure love their classic and 'youngtimer' (read: like a classic, only not so old) cars. Just down the road is the Techno Classica show, one of the biggest of its kind. But here in Dusseldorf there's a more permanent evocation of this passion in the form of a converted railway roundhouse. This houses classic car dealerships, restoration centres and more. Supercars, classics, youngtimers - they're all here. So if wire wheels and sparkly chrome don't do it for you fear not, because there's plenty of younger metal too.
Old engine shed means tons of spaceBased on a similar concept in a converted tramshed in Berlin and originally known as the Meilenwerk, the centre has since been rebranded Classic Remise, but the format remains the same. Basically it's a one-stop shop for car lovers, whether you're in the market for a brand new Morgan (there's an official dealership here), a VLN racecar, something truly exotic or simply a nice old 90s Merc or BMW.
Diversity of stock visible in one shotMore serious tyre kickers might find it a good place for sourcing LHD German rarities like Mercedes E500s, E30 M3s or the more exotic Porsches like the 964 RS, though the swanky surroundings are reflected in the pricing of some of the cars.
Porsche 911 SC/RS
With race history at Le Mans in 1984 and 1985 - according to the ticket in the window - and a class victory in the 'ring 24-hours in 2010 this 911 SC/RS is a very rare and desirable Porsche indeed and good for 7:58 'ring laps. Not bad for 29-year-old car. Yours for 179,900 euros...
De Tomaso Pantera
No info on this car, but it just looked very cool indeed, especially with the scrutineering stickers still on the windscreen.
Porsche 928
There were a few tasty-looking Porsche 928s around, this very early car especially appealing.
Porsche 928 GTS
This late-model one was a complete contrast but pretty tidy too - the time will come for the 928 for sure.
Morgan dealership
It's not all used cars - Morgan's official dealership is here too, the German passion for British sports cars always strong.
Mercedes 190 2.3-16 and Viper ACR
This sums up just how diverse the cars on sale here are - a nice 16-valve 190 is typical of the youngtimer stock you might struggle to source in decent nick back home, while the 612hp Viper ACR offers a very different sort of thrill - low sevens 'ring laps yours for the taking if you can stump up the 98,000 euros!
Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964)
No secret that the 964 RS is a PH editorial team favourite, Germany probably the place to go if you want to source a good one at a half-sensible price. This 1992 example has 80,000km on it, a fresh major service, correct magnesium wheels and a half cage. Price? 79,900 euros - not as daft as some here in the UK.
BMW Z8
Another car for which its time will come, it seems it might already have happened in Germany going by the 109,000 euros price tag on this Z8.
Renaultsport Megane Trophy racecar
Fancy something a bit different for your trackday toy? How about a 2005 Megane Trophy car for 64,900 euros? The ticket in the window, perhaps somewhat unnecessarily, boasts that the car is 'sehr schnell'...
Maserati Khamsin
Achingly cool in that 70s Italian supercar way, this Maserati Khamsin certainly stands out as something a bit different. Though you'd be obliged to drive it wearing only the very finest 70s attire. 79,000 euros.
Spotted special: German tyre kicker's heaven
Dan finds the PH classifieds made real in a converted train shed in Dusseldorf
Old engine shed means tons of space
The building is fantastic too, with a huge, bright, airy space where locomotives once stood and a vast range of cars well worth a look at whether you're in the market or not. Keep reading for a few of the cars that caught PH's eye, but if you're headed for the Techno Classica show or in the region to visit that race track we mention on occasion it's well worth a trip.
Diversity of stock visible in one shot
For more information see the Classic Remisewebsite here, which has links to the dealers onsite and their stocklists. And for a taste of what's there keep reading...
With race history at Le Mans in 1984 and 1985 - according to the ticket in the window - and a class victory in the 'ring 24-hours in 2010 this 911 SC/RS is a very rare and desirable Porsche indeed and good for 7:58 'ring laps. Not bad for 29-year-old car. Yours for 179,900 euros...
No info on this car, but it just looked very cool indeed, especially with the scrutineering stickers still on the windscreen.
There were a few tasty-looking Porsche 928s around, this very early car especially appealing.
This late-model one was a complete contrast but pretty tidy too - the time will come for the 928 for sure.
It's not all used cars - Morgan's official dealership is here too, the German passion for British sports cars always strong.
This sums up just how diverse the cars on sale here are - a nice 16-valve 190 is typical of the youngtimer stock you might struggle to source in decent nick back home, while the 612hp Viper ACR offers a very different sort of thrill - low sevens 'ring laps yours for the taking if you can stump up the 98,000 euros!
No secret that the 964 RS is a PH editorial team favourite, Germany probably the place to go if you want to source a good one at a half-sensible price. This 1992 example has 80,000km on it, a fresh major service, correct magnesium wheels and a half cage. Price? 79,900 euros - not as daft as some here in the UK.
Another car for which its time will come, it seems it might already have happened in Germany going by the 109,000 euros price tag on this Z8.
Fancy something a bit different for your trackday toy? How about a 2005 Megane Trophy car for 64,900 euros? The ticket in the window, perhaps somewhat unnecessarily, boasts that the car is 'sehr schnell'...
Achingly cool in that 70s Italian supercar way, this Maserati Khamsin certainly stands out as something a bit different. Though you'd be obliged to drive it wearing only the very finest 70s attire. 79,000 euros.
Discussion
Ii went early last year and it's a fantastic place - well worth a visit if you're in the area.
They also have a very nice restaurant upstairs in the round building, looking out over the cars, but you may need to book - we did.
Could be expensive though - there were some very nice cars for sale at not stupid prices.
Need to have another visit at some point.
Cheers
Rob
They also have a very nice restaurant upstairs in the round building, looking out over the cars, but you may need to book - we did.
Could be expensive though - there were some very nice cars for sale at not stupid prices.
Need to have another visit at some point.
Cheers
Rob
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